LK Health commits a generous amount of time designing a Lifetime Treatment Plan that will help you to offset the possibility of unforeseen pain or tooth breakage.

In the event of a knocked out tooth or bitten tongue, quick thinking and staying calm are the best ways to approach such common dental emergencies and prevent additional unnecessary damage and costly dental restoration.

CONTACT LK HEALTH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!(323) 728-8588

Handling Dental Emergencies

Knowing how to handle a dental emergency can mean the difference between saving and losing your child’s tooth. Here are some tips to help you cope quickly and calmly with a dental emergency.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Baby Tooth – if something happens to any of a child’s baby teeth, you should call your dentist and take your child to the dentist as soon as you can. If a tooth is completely out, do not try to put it back into the tooth socket. Although it is normal for children to lose baby teeth, an accident that damages a baby tooth could also harm the adult tooth underneath.

Adult Tooth – Unlike a baby tooth that is knocked out, an adult tooth should be put back into the socket. After you find the tooth, hold it by the crown, (top), not the root. If the tooth looks dirty, rinse the root briefly with water. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any attached bits of tissue.

If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket with a clean washcloth or gauze pad. If this isn’t possible, see if the child can hold the tooth in the cheek or under the tongue. If that does not work either, put the tooth in a container with milk, saliva, saline (salt) solution, or an emergency tooth preservation kit. If none of these liquids is available, put the tooth in water.

Take your child to the dentist as quickly as you can. It’s best to see a dentist within 30 minutes. Don’t forget to bring the tooth and any tooth pieces you can find!

Broken or Cracked Tooth – Rinse the mouth with warm water to keep the area clean. Put a cold compress (like an ice pack or a washcloth with ice wrapped inside) on the face to reduce swelling. Go to the dentist right away. If you can find the broken tooth piece, bring it with you to the dentist. Wrap it in some wet gauze or a wet towel if possible.

Bitten Tongue or Lip – Clean the area gently with a cloth and place a cold compress on the area to keep swelling down. If there is a lot of bleeding or if it doesn’t stop after a short time, take your child to a dentist or an emergency center.

Objects Caught Between Teeth – Gently try to remove the object with dental floss. If that doesn’t work, go to the dentist. Do not try to remove the object with a sharp or pointed instrument.

Toothache or Swollen Face – Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Give your child what you would normally give her for pain. Do not put any medication directly on the aching tooth or gums. Take your child to the dentist as soon as you can. If your child’s face is swollen, take your child to your dentist or physician. Swelling of the face can be a sign of serious infection. Do not delay.

Possible Broken Jaw – Apply a cold compress to control swelling. Take your child to the dentist or an emergency center right away.